Birmingham Forward, the professional services lobby group, has delivered a financial surplus and maintained "a robust level of membership".

In its statutory accounts for 2007, received by members this week ahead of the organisation's Annual General Meeting, it records a pretax surplus of £12,133 which will go to strengthening financial reserves.

That was well down on the £46,035 of 2006 - more money has been spent on lobbying, events and staff changes along with upgrading the website.

Membership is roughly the same at around 250 companies.

Its lobbying effort saw Birmingham Forward spearhead the continuing High Court Justice Campaign which resulted in the city being granted a permanent Administrative Court that will begin to list cases in Autumn.

Events - from members' lunches to keynote occasions such as the Roger Dickens' Memorial Lecture - contributed to a rise in annual turnover to £488,364 from £473,609.

Chairman of Birmingham Forward Diane Benussi said: "2007 has been an excellent year. Our chief executive Richard Brennan has overseen a review of our structure and activities and this has resulted in a strong and sustained series of networking and social events.

"We have continued to increase our sphere of influence within the city."

Sister organisation Birmingham Future - led by chairman Alex Bishop - had also continued to raise its profile."

Ms Benussi said: "As my two years in the chair draws to a close, I take pride in an organisation that has continued to strengthen its membership base, financial position and influence.

"Birmingham Forward is well placed to build on its position as one of the highest profile business organisations in the region."

She is handing over to Richard Edwards, senior practice partner at Deloitte in the Midlands.

Birmingham Forward's AGM will be held on April 8 at the Birmingham Hippodrome. The second edition of the members' directory, under the Advised in Birmingham umbrella, will be published on the day. The AGM will be immediately followed by The Birmingham Post Deal of the Year Awards.